A nursery in Bradford is closing down next month due to Covid-19-related financial difficulty.
Feversham First Steps Nursery, which was established in 2011, on Cliffe Road announced last month that the nursery will be closing due to the financial impact of the pandemic.
A letter went out to parents and carers on 25 January to inform them that the last day the nursery will be open is Friday 25 February. The nursery said, “Covid-19 has impacted the nursery in a number of different ways, including a financial impact that the business is not able to withstand.”
They also said that there is “no viable option” for keeping the business open.
In 2019, the nursery achieved a good rating by Ofsted, improving from their previous inspection where they required improvement.
As of their last inspection, the nursery offered 66 places for children aged between one and four, offering term time only sessions, AM or PM sessions, and holiday clubs for days where children require additional care.
One parent said: “This has been shocking to the parent and we have been kept in the dark regarding the closure until yesterday and given a month’s notice to find another provider and settle in the children.
“My child is very attached to his nursery and I feel upset that little time has been given to parents and children who are the main user of the nursery to seek another provider.
“As a working parent, I feel under strain on how my child will settle in another established and the impact on those who are on funding how would this work.
“I think the staff are brilliant and so is the establishment but little consideration has been given over the closure and the impact on children, parents and staff. I hope they resolve this matter so that it is beneficial for all those affected.”
A spokesperson for the nursery said: “It is with great regret that we have had to take the very difficult decision to close the Nursery at the end of February.
“Due to ongoing financial challenges, coupled with the ongoing impact of Covid-19, it is not sustainable to continue operating under the same high standards that the Nursery has always strived to achieve.
“We recognise the uncertainty that this has caused for families but despite spending considerable time and effort looking at different ways in which we could continue to operate, unfortunately, there is no viable option.
“Our priority is to ensure that all children receive the best possible learning and development opportunities and so we are working closely with parents and the Local Authority to support them in ensuring children who are currently attending the nursery can secure places with other suitable providers.
“We would like to thank everyone within our community for their ongoing support over the years, including staff and families who have done so much to make the nursery the special place it has been for so many”.
